Lake South - “Mount Victoria/Tangi-te-keo”

SXSW 2020 - OEB Score: 8; Popularity Index: 2

Pairs Well With…San Fermin, Frightened Rabbit, Andrew McMahon in the Wilderness

Lake South plays warm, intricate indie pop music, softly placed and congenially melodic, but then adds a level of grand ambition that takes his songs to cinematic heights. The New Zealand performer released his sophomore record Wellington/Te Upoko O Te Ika last year and the album acts as a series of distinct musical postcards from his hometown. Lake South has a personal, vulnerable type of songwriting even when reflecting on places rather than relationships, a down-to-earth style that matches the delicacy in his electronic-based sound. Mid-tempo, breezy air holds most of the attention on Wellington, but his approach incorporates space and allows each synth note to breathe comfortably. While notably smooth and new-wave inspired, Lake South is definitely an experimenter on Wellington, dynamically adding texture and sonic twists to his songs to build depth into his relatively minimal sound. (Kevin McStravick)